None: Chapter 148

The showing of the field of battle

धृतराष्ट्र उवाच तथा गतेषु शूरेषु तेषां मम च संजय। किं वै भीमस्तदाकार्षीत् तन्ममाचक्ष्व संजय॥
Dhritarashtra said When the warriors on their side and mine remained thus on the field of battle, what did Bhima do? Tell me, this O Sanjaya.

संजय उवाच विरथो भीमसेनो वै कर्णवाक्शल्यपीडितः। अमर्षवशमापन्नः फाल्गुनं वाक्यमब्रवीत्॥
Sanjaya said When Bhimasena was made carless by Karna, he was tormented with the words poignant as a dart, of the latter. Now under the influence of passion he said these words of Phalguna.

पुनः पुनस्तूबरक मूढ औदरिकेति च। अकृतास्रक मा योत्सीर्बाल संग्रामकातर॥ इति मामब्रवीत् कर्णः पश्यतस्ते धनंजय। एवं वक्ता च मे वध्यस्तेन चोक्तोऽस्मि भारत॥
"O Dhananjaya, in your very presence, Karna has repeatedly said to me-(you are) a eunuch, fool, child, glutton, (you are) unable to endure (the fury of) battle. He, that would tell me so, would be my victim. O Bharata, he (Karna) has said to me these words (and therefore, he must be slain by me),

एतद् व्रतं महाबाहो त्वया सह कृतं मया। तथैतन्मम कौन्तेय यथा तव न संशयः॥
I have made this vow jointly with you, O mighty armed one. O son of Kunti undoubtedly, as they (these vows) are to you so they are to me.

तद्वधाय नरश्रेष्ठ स्मरैतद् वचनं मम। यथा भवति तत् सत्यं तथा कुरु धनंजय॥
Remember, O best of men, my words and fulfill them (i.e., the vows). O Dhananjaya, act in such a way that they may prove true.”

तच्छ्रुत्वा वचनं तस्य भीमस्यामितविक्रमः। ततोऽर्जुनोऽब्रवीत् कर्णं किंचिदभ्येत्य संयुगे॥
Thus addressed by Bhima, Arjuna of matchless prowess, coming up to Karna in that battle, said to him (thus):

कर्ण कर्ण वृथादृष्टे सूतपुत्रात्मसंस्तुत। अधर्मबुद्धे शृणु मे यत् त्वां वक्ष्यामि साम्प्रतम्॥
"O Karna, O son of a charioteer, you are of false sight, you praise your ownself, you are of wicked intelligence. Hear what I tell you now.

द्विविधं कर्म शूराणां युद्धे जयपराजयौ। तौ चाप्यनित्यौ राधेय वासवस्यापि युध्यतः॥
Warriors either meet with victory or defeat in battle. O son of Radha, even these two are uncertain. Even when Vasava himself fights, the case is not otherwise.

मुमूर्षर्युयुधानेन विरथो विकलेन्द्रियः। मद्वध्यस्त्वमिति ज्ञात्वा जित्वा जीवन् विसर्जितः॥
You where (ere long) made carless and deprived of energy by Yujudhana and were nearly dead. Knowing, however, that I have sworn to slay you he only defeated but spared your life.

यदृच्छया रणे भीमं युध्यमानं महाबलम्। कथंचिद् विरथं कृत्वा यत् त्वं सक्षमभाषथा:॥
By freak of fate, you succeeded in making Bhimasena carless. (And) you have committed a sin by abusing Bhima, O son of Radha.

अधर्मस्त्वेष सुमहाननार्चचरितं च तत्। नारिं जित्वातिकत्यन्ते न च जल्पन्ति दुर्वचः॥
Men, that are heroic, virtuous and most exalted, having defeated an enemy, neither! boast of themselves with harsh words, nor indulge in abusive language.

न च कञ्चन निन्दन्ति सन्तः शूरा नरर्षभाः। त्वं तु प्राकृतविज्ञानस्तत् तद् वदसि सूतज॥ बह्वबद्धमकर्ण्य च चापलादपरीक्षितम्। युध्यमानं पराक्रान्तं शूरमार्यव्रते रतम्॥ यदवोचेऽप्रियं भीमं नैतत् सत्यं वचस्तव। पश्यतां सर्वसैन्यानां केशवस्य ममैव च।॥
O son of a charioteer, weak in intellect as you are, you have made use of these words. Again, the (abusive) epithets that you have hurled against the fighting Bhimasena, endued with prowess, heroic and ever devoted to righteousness, are not true. In the very sight of the whole army of Keshava and myself.

विरथो भीमसेनेन कृतोऽसि बहुशो रणे। न च त्वां परुषं किंचिदुक्तवान् पाण्डुनन्दनः॥
You were several times, in battle, deprived of your car by Bhimasena. But the son of Pandu did never utter any harsh words to you.

यस्मात् तु बहु रूक्षं च श्रावितस्ते वृकोदरः। परोक्षं यच सौभद्रो युष्माभिनिहतो मम॥
As you have indulged in many harsh words against Vrikodara and as you have jointly with others, killed the son of Subhadra, when I was not present.

तस्मादस्यावलेपस्य सद्यः फलमवाप्नुहि। त्वया तस्य धनुश्छिन्नमात्मनाशाय दुर्मते॥
You will, therefore, very soon feel the consequences of your offense. () wicked minded one, it was for your own destruction that you cut-off his bow.

तस्माद् वध्योऽसि मे मूढ सभृत्यसुतबान्धवः। कुरु त्वं सर्वकृत्यानि महत् ते भयमागतम्॥
It is for this reason, O fool, that I will slay you together with your attendants, forces and beast of burden. Now (while yet there is time) perform what you ought to do, because a great calamity is hanging over you.

हन्तास्मि वृषसेनं ते प्रेक्षमाणस्य संयुगे। ये चान्येऽप्युपयास्यन्ति बुद्धिमोहेन मां नृपाः॥ तांश्च सर्वान् हनिष्यामि सत्येनायुधमालभे। त्वां च मूढाकृतप्रज्ञमतिमानिनमाहवे॥ दृष्ट्वा दुर्योधनो मन्दो भृशं तप्स्यति पातितम्। अर्जुनेन प्रतिज्ञाते वधे कर्णसुतस्य तु॥
I swear truly by my bow that I will slay, in your very sight, Vrishasena and will destroy all those other kings, who through cloudiness of intellect will oppose me in battle. Fool, unwise and self-conceited that you are, the wicked Duryodhana will give way to lamentations seeing you slain on the field of battle. Arjuna having promised to kill the son of Karna.

महान् सुतुमुलः शब्दो बभूव रथिनां तदा। तस्मिन्नाकुलसंग्रामे वर्तमाने महाभये॥
There arose a great and tumultuous uproar among the car-warriors. And at the time of that dreadful battle.

मन्दरश्मिः सहस्रांशुरस्तं गिरिमुपाद्रवत्। ततो राजन् हृषीकेशः संग्रामशिरसि स्थितम्॥
The thousand-rayed (deity) with his rays dimmed entered into the setting hill. Then stationed at the head of the battle, O king, Hrishikesa.

तीर्णप्रतिज्ञं बीभत्सुं परिष्वज्यैनमब्रवीत्। दिष्ट्या सम्पादिता जिष्णो प्रतिज्ञा महती त्वया॥
Embraced Vibhatsu, who had fulfilled his promise and addressed him thus-"O Jishnu, it is by good fortune that you have been able to accomplish your great vow.

दिष्ट्या विनिहतः पापो वृद्धक्षत्र: सहात्मजः। धार्तराष्ट्रबलं प्राप्य देवसेनापि भारत॥
It is by good luck, again that you have slain the wretch Vridhakshatra together with his son. O Bharata, even the general of the celestials, if engaged with the force of Dhritarashtra.

सीदेत समरे जिष्णो नात्र कार्या विचारणा। न तं पश्यामि लोकेषु चिन्तयन् पुरुषं क्वचित्॥
In battle, would be quite stupefied. O Jishnu, there is no doubt of this. Even on reflection, I do not find any individual in the (three) words.

त्वदृते पुरुषव्याघ्र य एतद् योधयेद् बलम्। महाप्रभावा बहवस्त्वया तुल्याधिकाऽपि वा॥ समेताः पृथिव गला धार्तराष्ट्रस्य कारणात्। ते त्वां प्राप्य रणे क्रुद्धा नाभ्यवर्तन्त दंशिताः॥
Capable of encountering these forces, besides you, O most valiant of men. Numerous lords of the earth, endowed with great prowess and either equal or superior to you, have, at the command of Dhritarashtra assembled together. (But) those (warriors). clad in armour, could not withstand your wrathful self in battle.

तव वीर्य बलं चैव रुद्रशक्रान्तकोपमम्। नेदृशं शक्नुयात् कश्चिद् रणे कर्तुं पराक्रमम्॥
Your strength and prowess, (therefore), resemble those of Rudra or Shakra. No one is capable of displaying so much prowess in battle.

यादृशं कृतवानद्य त्वमेकः शत्रुतापनः। एवमेव हते कर्णे सानुबन्धे दुरात्मनि॥
As you have singly shown this day. O tormentor of foes, when the wicked-souled Karna together with his followers shall be vanquished (by you) I will thus.

वर्धयिष्यामि भूयस्त्वां विजितारिं हतद्विषम्। तमर्जुनः प्रत्युवाच प्रसादात् तव माधव॥ प्रतिज्ञेयं मया तीर्णा विबुधैरपि दुस्तरा। अनाश्चर्यो जयस्तेषां येषां नाथोऽसि केशव॥ त्वत्प्रसादान्महीं कृत्स्नां सम्प्राप्स्यति युधिष्ठिरः। तव प्रभावो वार्ष्णेय तवैव विजयः प्रभो। वर्धनीयास्तव वयं सदैव मधुसूदन॥ एवमुक्तस्ततः कृष्णः शनकैर्वाहयन् हयान्। दर्शयामास पार्थाय क्रूरमायोधनं महत्॥
o destroyer of Madhu, you are (ever) concerned in our welfare and we are always) at your enemy." Arjuna then replied to him (thus)-"O Madhava, through your favour, I have fulfilled the vow, which even by the celestials can with difficulty be performed. O Keshava, it is no wonder that they, who have you for their lord, will win the victory. Through your favour Yudhishthira will recover the entire earth. O descendant of Vrishnis, (as) all this is due to your power, (so) O lord, this victory is yours. O destroyer of Madhu, you are (ever) concerned in our welfare wand we are (always) at your service.” Thus spoken to Krishna with a smile, slowly guided the steeds and showed to Partha the greatly cruel field of battle.

श्रीकृष्ण उवाच प्रार्थयन्तो जयं युद्धे प्रथितं च महद् यशः। पृथिव्यां शरेते शूराः पार्थिवास्त्वच्छरैर्हताः :॥
Krishna said Longing for either victory or great renown, (many) heroic kings, struck dead by your shafts, are lying on earth.

विकीर्णशस्त्राभरणा विपन्नाश्वरथद्विपाः। संछिन्नभिन्नमर्माणो वैकुव्यं परमं गताः॥
Their weapons and ornaments lie scattered (all over the battle-field); their horses, elephants and cars are killed and shattered; and with their armour perforated and cut-off they are reduced to a woeful plight.

ससत्त्वा गतसत्त्वाश्च प्रभया परया युताः। सजीव इव लक्ष्यन्ते गतसत्त्वा नराधिपाः॥
Some (of them) are already deal and some are still alive; and those lords of men whose life is extinct look live on account of their great splendour.

तेषां शरैः स्वर्णपुङ्खः शस्त्रैश्च विविधैः शितैः। वाहनैरायुधैश्चैव सम्पूर्णा पश्य मेदिनीम्॥
Look! the earth is entirely filled with their gold-winged shafts, their weapons of various kinds, their beasts of burden and with their arims.

वर्मभिश्चर्मभिर्हारैः शिरोभिश्च सकुण्डलैः। उष्णीषैर्मुकुटैः स्रग्भिश्चूडामणिभिरम्बरैः॥ कण्ठसूत्रैरङ्गदैश्च निष्कैरपि च सप्रभैः। अन्यैश्चाभरणैश्चित्रै ति भारत मेदिनी॥
(Behold) O Bharata, the earth became with armours, necklaces of gold, heads decked with ear-rings, head-gears and diadems, floral wreaths, gems worn on the crown, Kanthasutras, Angadas, lustrous collars of gold and with various other variegated ornaments;

अनुकरुपासङ्गैः पताकाभिर्ध्वजैस्तथा। उपस्करैरधिष्ठानैरीषादण्डकबन्धुरैः॥
(And with) Anukarshas and quivers, standards and flags and Upaskaras and Adhisthanas, shafts and crests of cars.

चक्रैः प्रमथितैश्चिौरक्षश्च बहुधा रणे। युगैर्योक्त्रैः कलापैश्च धनुर्भिः सायकैस्तथा॥
With broken wheels and many variegated cars, yokes and trappings of horses, bow and arrows.

परिस्तोमैः कुथाभिश्च परिघैरङ्कुशैस्तथा। शक्तिभिर्भिन्दिपालैश्च तूणैः शूलैः परश्वधैः॥
With elephants' trappings, Kudhas, Parighas and Ankushas, maces and Brindipalas, arrow-cases, spiked maces and Parasvadhas.

प्रासैश्च तोमरैश्चैव कुन्तैर्यष्टिभिरेव च। शतघ्नीभिर्भुशुण्डीभिः खङ्गैः परशुभिस्तथा॥
With Pashas and Tomaras, Kuntas and clubs, Sataghness and Bhusandees, swords and battle-axes.

मुसलैर्मुद्गरैश्चैव गदाभिः कुणपैस्तथा। सुवर्णविकृताभिश्च कशभिर्भरतर्षभ॥
With Musalas and clubs, maces and Kunapas, whips decked with gold, O the most exalted of the Bharatas.

घण्टाभिश्च गजेन्द्राणां भाण्डैश्च विविधैरपि। स्रग्भिश्च नानाभरणैर्वस्त्रैश्चैव महाधनैः॥
With the bells and many other ornaments of the best of elephants, garlands, various ornaments and costly dresses.

अपविद्धैर्बभौ भूमिर्ग्रहैद्यौरिव शारदी। पृथिव्यां पृथिवीहेतोः पृथिवीपतयो हताः॥
(With all these lying scattered all over the field of battle), the earth looks resplendent like the autumnal sky studded with planets and stars. Those lords of Earth who have sacrificed their live for his sake.

पृथिवीमुपगुह्याङ्गैः सुप्ताः कान्तामिव प्रियाम्। इमांश्च गिरिकूटाभान् नागानैरावतोपमान्॥
Lie slumbering on the earth and embracing her like a beloved wife. These elephants resembling mountain-peaks and huge Airavat.

क्षरतः शोणितं भूरि शस्त्रच्छेददरीमुखैः। दरीमुखैरिव गिरीन् गैरिकाम्बुपरिस्रवान्॥
Are shedding a profusion of blood through the openings caused by weapons, as mountains discharge through the caves streams of liquid chalk.

तांश्च बाणहतान् वीर पश्य निष्टन्तः क्षितौ। हयांश्च पतितान् पश्य स्वर्ण भाण्डविभूषितान्॥
Behold! struck down on the earth by your arrows, these (elephants) are writhing in agonies. Behold! the steeds also, adorned with golden trappings, are lying on the ground.

गन्धर्वनगराकारान् रथांश्च निहतेश्वरान्। छिन्नध्वजपताकाक्षान् विचक्रान् हतसारथीन्॥ निकृत्तकूबरयुगान् भग्नेषाबन्धुरान् प्रभो। पश्य पार्थ हयान् भूमौ विमानोपमदर्शनान्॥
Behold, O Partha, O lord, these cars resembling the city of the Gandharvas, with their lords slain and their standards, banners and Akshas cut to pieces, deprived of their wheels and charioteers, with their yokes cut to pieces, with broken shafts and crests and looking (splendid) like the celestial vehicles.

पत्तींश्च निहतान् वीर शतशोऽथ सहस्रशः। धनुर्भृतश्चर्मभृतः शयानान् रुधिरोक्षितान्॥
Hundreds and thousands of foot-soldiers, O hero, are lying slain (on the ground) in a pool of blood wielding their bows and shields.

महीमालिङ्गय सर्वाङ्गैः पांसुध्वस्तशिरोरुहान्। पश्य योधान् महाबाहो त्वच्छरैर्भिन्नविग्रहान्॥
Clasping the earth with all their limbs and with their hair smeared with dust. Behold, O mighty-armed one, these warriors with their bodies mangled by your arrows.

मसृग्वसापिशितसमृद्धकर्दमम्। निशाचरश्ववृकपिशाचमोदनं महीतलं नरवर पश्य दुर्दशम्॥
O best of men, behold also the surface of the earth with dead elephants and horses and (broken) cars, muddy with a profusion of blood, fat and rotten flesh, affording delight to night of blood, fat the rotten flesh, affording delight to night-wanderers, dogs, wolves and Pisachas and dreadful to look at.

इदं महत् त्वय्युपपद्यते प्रभो रणाजिरे कर्म यशोभिवर्धनम्। शतक्रतौ चापि स देवसत्तमे महाहवे जनुषि दैत्यदानवान्॥
O lord, that foremost of the celestials, the performer of a hundred sacrifices who slay in great battle the Daytas and the Danavas and yourself only are capable of achieving such a fame-enhancing and glorious feat.

संजय उवाच एवं संदर्शयन् कृष्णो रणभूमिं किरीटिने। स्वैः समेतः समुदितैः पाञ्चजन्यं व्यनादयत्॥
Sanjaya said Krishna, thus showing the field of battle to Kiriti (i.e., Arjuna who wore a coronet) blew his conch Panchajanya before the gladdened army (of the Pandavas).

स दर्शयन्नेव किरीटिनेऽरिहा जनार्दनस्तामरिभूमिमञ्जसा। अजातशत्रु समुपेत्य पाण्डवं निवेदयामास हतं जयद्रथम्॥
Janardana, the destroyer of foes, having (thus) shown to Kiriti the field of battle, speedily came over to the Pandavas Ajatastru (i.e., Yudhishthira who had no enemy) and informed him of destruction of Jayadratha.